Sep 13, 2012

Free Lecture for Kauai CC faculty, staff, students and public: National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) and Kauai CC are co-sponsoring a free lecture by acclaimed Australian naturalist Ian Hutton, on Tuesday, October 2nd, at 5:30 pm, in the KCC Cafeteria.

Mr. Hutton has spent more than 30 years studying the ecology of Lord Howe Island and will share the richness of its flora and fauna. Similarities between Lord Island and the Hawaiian Islands will be made evident in the lecture. (For newcomers to the college and/or island, the NTBG and KCC partnership is exciting, productive, creative and mutually appreciated. The lecture would be a great time to get to know NTBG and learn more about our connection.)

Mr. Hutton has a background in plant ecology and climatology and was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his contributions to conservation and tourism. He has written numerous books and was the fist person licensed to conduct guided reef and botanical tours. He has also been a leader in creating voluntourism opportunities in invasive plant removal. See the engaging attachment and see you there!

UH Manoa faculty John Cusick, Philip Moravcik, and David Penn will introduce educational programs, research projects, and service activities that are conducted through the Environmental Center / Water Resources Research Center, and ask that we attend to together explore how to strengthen and sustain the bonds between Kauai CC and Manoa campuses programs. (A bit of interesting history: Chancellor Cox's father started the Hawaii Environmental Center.)

Highlights of the Session:

Overview of Educational Programs for students transferring to Manoa to obtain a degree in Environmental Studies

join honors courses, internships, practicums, student organizations for individual and group study; creative work on sustainability initiatives, skills development in professional settings

financial support

graduate school options and opportunities to conduct research

Overview of Research Projects

environmental protection and water management problems and solutions

protecting water supply to support shellfish cultivating

water cultivating and storage capacity

health risks when using waste water for crop irrigation

land-based materials impact on seaweeds

Overview of Service Activities

Environmental Center's role in establishing environmental law and its key involvement in proposed legislative and agency actions

updating environmental impact statements

revising policy

To schedule an appointment to speak with our presenters at other times that day, contact: David Penn, dpenn@hawaii.edu.

On September 17 & 18, 2012, 9:00-1:00p.m. in the Learning Resource Center Lobby by the ATM Machine, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kaua'i will be on campus to recruit mentors. It's all about one-to-one friendships and a community of caring, giving people changing what it means for children to grow up in Hawaii - you don't really have to change your life to impact theirs. The Community-Based program is open to mentors 18 years of age or older and keiki ages 6 through 16.

The Blessing commemorates the construction phase of the project. Robert Steurich and students will be building the prototype house as part of their class project. The Blessing also serves to honor all of you who have been helping, in one important way or another, to bring this project from conception to completion.

Sep 12, 2012

A Suicide Prevention Workshop will be offered by safetalkkauai.org presentors: Gina Kaulukukui & Bridget Arume. In two hours learn how to become a suicide alert helper. You will learn clear and practical information on when and what to do. You will practice the TALK (Talk, Ask, Listen, and Keep safe) steps and conclude with practice in activating a suicide alert. safeTALK is the result of some twenty years of work in developing suicide prevention abilities in a short program. This training was designed for anyone over age 15.

HAWAII STATISTICS
According to a Honolulu Star Bulletin article dated 11/16/2007
"Suicide is considered the leading cause of injury death in Hawaii, according to the Injury Prevention & Control Program. That puts it above falls, motor vehicle accidents, poisoning, pedestrian accidents and drowning."

"About 123 people in Hawaii commit suicide every year, according to the Injury Prevention & Control Program. That is about one person every three days who commits suicide, state health officials said. And for every person who commits suicide, 12 people attempt to kill themselves."

A person in acute risk for suicidal behavior most often will show: Warning Signs of Acute Risk:

Threatening to hurt or kill him or herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself; and/or,

Looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means; and/or,

Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary.

These might be remembered as expressed or communicated ideation. If observed, seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional or calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for a referral.
NOTE: September 9-15, 2012 is National Suicide Prevention Week.

Sep 10, 2012

From 9:00am on Tuesday, September 18, the PAC will be filled with excited children and families gathered for the Eō e Liliʻuchildren’s song contest, a unique event where children from Hawaiian immersion schools converge on Kauaʻi CC to compete in singing songs composed by, or in honor of, Queen Liliʻuokalani and her siblings (King David Kalākaua, Prince Leleiōhoku, and Princess Likelike). This event is part of the annual Mokihana Festival, celebrating the Hawaiian culture and values. (For a calendar of events, see http://maliefoundation.org/.)

Image from maliefoundation.org

Participants will be arriving by bus and on foot, but family & friends will be parking from 8:30 to noon; thank you for helping us welcome this community to our college.